Former Assumption player excited to play in Senior Bowl

Saturday

Jan 26, 2013 at 12:01 AMJan 26, 2013 at 12:03 AM

It took former Assumption High School standout Jordan Mills all of one practice to get noticed at the Senior Bowl.

Kelly McElroyStaff Writer

It took former Assumption High School standout Jordan Mills all of one practice to get noticed at the Senior Bowl.Mills, a 6-foot-5, 318 pounder from Louisiana Tech, impressed coaches, scouts and media with his aggressive and nasty style of play on Tuesday, his first practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.Mills was a late addition to the all-star game as an injury replacement for the South team. The game features the top senior players from around the country and draws scouts and upper-level personnel from every NFL team in anticipation of April's NFL draft."Jordan came to practice with an attitude and an aggressive one," NFL analyst Mike Detillier said. "He was aggressive, and he was a real scrapper in one-on-one drills, and while everyone knew about his pass-blocking skills, his aggressive nature and his physicality were really good. It was something I was hoping to see. He really finished off his man, and the coaches loved his attitude and his ability to pick up new assignments and techniques. He has really looked good for a late arrival and played strong at the point of attack."The game will be televised by NFL Network at 3 today at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mills will wear No. 78.Mills, a Napoleonville native who is has projected as a middle-round draft pick, was a four-year starter with the Bulldogs and was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference player this past season at right tackle as a senior."This is a great experience," Mills said about being at the Senior Bowl via a phone interview on Friday. "It was so humbling and a blessing to get the invite. It's humbling to be around the best of the best."Mills was part of a Louisiana Tech team that went 9-3 this past season and was a member of the nation's top scoring offense but said he wants to prove that just because he played in a spread offense doesn't mean he is not a physical player."(The aggressiveness) has been a part of me since I was a little kid. I wanted to show them I belong here," Mills said. "Since I am here now, I am going to show out. The physicality, the nastiness and the griminess I play with, I have had that since I was a child."Mills said he also knows when the game starts Saturday that it will be a challenge going against some of the top college talent in the country. "They are talented and the play with heart and passion, but I expect to dominate whoever I go against. I respect that they are a great player and their game, but it comes down to man on man and who is going to win this," Mills said. "I am expecting to get the best effort from every player here. Just like I am in this game for a reason, they are in this game for a reason." Mills is the son of Margaret and O'Neal Mills and his cousin Tramon Williams played football at Louisiana Tech and now plays for the Green Bay Packers.He said he is proud to represent his high school, community and his family at the Senior Bowl and beyond."It is an honor coming from a small town like Napoleonville and from the bayou," Mills said. "I'm from the bayou. I have my chest stuck out because not many of us have the chance to be here. I am proud."